Out now: Asia's 'Fantasia - Live in Tokyo 2007' on vinyl

While longtime fans of Asia marked the 40th anniversary of the release of Alpha, the second album by the classic rock supergroup this past Saturday, I posted a reminder on another website that the superb Fantasia - Live in Tokyo 2007 was reissued earlier this year on black vinyl as a 3LP set for the first time. 

The informative background liner notes were written by Dave Gallant. There are new band quotes and rare photos. The intriguing cover artwork by Roger Dean (Yes) is best viewed and the music is best heard in this format.

Recorded at Tokyo’s Shinjuku Kosei Nenkin Hall on March 8, 2007, the 18-track set contains most of the hits and fan favorites from the first two albums. Here, the veteran musicians - singer/bassist John Wetton, guitarist Steve Howe, keyboardist Geoff Downes and drummer Carl Palmer - showed they’d lost none of their dexterity or strengths during the intervening years. 

The late Wetton’s stentorian vocals were as powerful as ever and the musicians dazzled from start to finish. Standouts include the harmonies of “One Step Closer,” the piano/acoustic guitar led “The Smile Has Left Your Eyes” with a particularly emotional delivery from Wetton, “Don’t Cry,” and the closing “Heat of the Moment” complete with audience participation.

Other highlights are interspersed throughout the concert. Asia performed lively renditions of four popular songs by each member’s previous bands: “In the Court of the Crimson King” (King Crimson – Wetton), “Video Killer the Radio Star” (The Buggles – Downes), “Fanfare for the Common Man” (Emerson Lake & Palmer – Palmer) and “Roundabout” (Yes – Howe). Highly recommended.

Also newly available: Phoenix in a 2LP vinyl set.